A BRAND-new café and bar combo has opened its doors in the heart of Ringwood by hosting a VIP party with nearly 200 guests.

The Arboro Lounge is situated in The Furlong shopping centre and welcomed guests for the first time on Wednesday October 13.

Owned by the successful Lounges group, Arboro Lounge is set across two floors with lit up outdoor seating in The Furlong courtyard and combines elements of a restaurant, British pub and coffee shop culture.

An exclusive VIP party was held to celebrate the opening and was attended by the likes of town mayor Tony Ring, Furlong centre manager Lara Faramus and numerous local business representatives.

Charlie Reed, marketing manager for The Furlong, commented: “We are delighted to add to our extensive F&B offering at the Furlong.

“We think adding more leisure into the mix will benefit our other stores and entice people away from simply shopping online. The new Arboro Lounge is a fantastic addition to the Furlong family.”

The site was previously occupied by department store Furlong Furniture which traded from the building for 30 years, before moving online in May 2021.

Arboro Lounge offers all-day dining, with a full menu served from 9am to 10pm every day and the bar is open until 11pm Sunday - Wednesday and until midnight Thursday - Saturday.